Variable volumetric accumulator.



F. SAMUELSON. VARIABLE VOLUMETRIG ACGUMULATOR.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN.16, 1909.

Patented Feb. 28, 1915.

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Inventor;

Fr-eder'ck samfiliiifn, ff

THE NORRIS PETERS C0. PHOTO-LITHQ, WASHINGTON. D. c

WED @TA N FREDERICK SAMUELSON, OF RUGBY, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

VARIABLE VOLUMETRIC ACGUMULATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 23, 1915.,

Application filed January 16, 1909. Serial No. 472,590.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK SAMUEL- soN, a subject of the King of Sweden, residing at Rugby, England, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Variable Volumetric Accumulators for Power Systems, of which the following is a specification.

This improvement relates to variable volumetric accumulators for power systems in which low pressure steam from some suitable source is used to operate a turbine or other engine, the accumulator being connected to the source in parallel with the turbine so that it can store or accumulate steam when the supply from the source exceeds the demand of the turbine and deliver steam to the turbine when the supply from the source is unequal to said demand.

The invention is more particularly applicable for use in connection with intermittently-loaded, non-condensing steam engines, the exhaust from which can be utilized for supplying a continuously loaded engine such as a steam turbine, but it is not limited to such use.

In carrying out my invention I employ an accumulator comprising members that are movable relatively to each other for varying its volumetric capacity.

In the form of invention illustrated it consists of a bell which is suitably counterweighted and suspended on chains or the like, with its lower edge dipping into a water or other liquid seal, the bell being freely movable vertically so that the pressure of the exhaust steam may be maintained constant or substantially so by variation of the volume of the space between the bell and the fixed floor of the accumulator.

In my improved accumulator it is essential to prevent, or to minimize as much as possible, the condensation of the steam due to the large radiating surface of the bell and for this purpose I may provide the bell with a coating of suitable heatinsulating composition, or I may employ air insulation by surrounding the bell with an outer shell which is secured to said bell by suitable heatinsulating fastenings and separated therefrom by an air space. Instead of, or in addition to, the insulating lagging on the outside of the bell, I may cover the inside of the bell with a non-condensing composition which may be suitably waterproofed on its inner surface to prevent damage to its material by the water of the seal. By insulating the steam from the metal the heat loss by conduction through the metal to the water seal and by radiation therefrom is prevented. Or instead of the above arrangements I may form the bell entirely of wood or other heat-insulating material. In order to allow the excess steam to escape in theevent of the bell rising up to the top of its guides, an escape valve is provided which is automatically actuated as the bell reaches the limit of its movement. Means are also provided for preventing the complete exhaustion of the contents of the accumulator and the formation of vacuum there in. The exhaust from the steam engine or other apparatus is led into the accumulator practically at atmospheric pressure and the supply to a secondary engine, such as a turbine, takes place at the same pressure whatever may be the amount of the discharge from the steam engine. By the use of this improved accumulator I therefore avoid variable back pressure on the primary engine such as is inherent in accumulators of the type where water is the heat storing agent and I also avoid the considerable loss in thermal etliciency inherent in such accumulators on account of the drop in pressure necessary for again forming the steam required by the secondary engine.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating one of the embodiments of my invention, Figure l is a side view of an accumulator with parts in section; Fig. 2 is a partial top view of the accumulator; and Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of a power plant or system comprising a non-condensing engine, an accumulator and a low pressure turbine.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 3, 1 indicates a variably or intermittently loaded, non-condensing, reciprocating steam engine receiving its live steam supply through a pipe 2. The pipe or conduit 3 conveys the exhaust from the engine 1 to a pipe 4i leading to the low pressure turbine 5 or to a pipe 6 leading to an accumulator 7 or the pipe 3 may deliver steam to both the accumulator and the turbine depending upon the relation between the supply of and demand for steam. WVhen the demand of the turbine for steam exceeds the supply from the engine, steam to meet this demand will be taken from the accumulator. The turbine drives an electric generator 8 and its eX- haust 9 is connected to any suitable condensing apparatus. The current from the generator is utilized in any desired manner. Suitable valves as 31 and 32 are arranged in the piping connecting the engine, accumulator and the turbine to regulate the flow therethrough, one valve 33 being preferably arranged to divert the engine exhaust to the atmosphere when for any reason it is not desirable for the accumulator and the turbine to'receive it. The weight of the accumulator bell is counterbalanced by weights 10. The lower edge of its vertical wall is provided with a water seal 11. The pipe 6 is led through a pit 12 so as to pass below the seal 11' and enter the interior of the accumulator. The area of the pipe 6 will be proportional to the quantity of fluid that it has to'convey. Obviously more than one pipe may be used to obtain the necessary area, if desired.- The floor of the accumulator is crowned so that any condensation that might occur will drain into the seal or well 11. The accumulator or holder? is of double-walled steel plate construction leaving an insulating air space 13 between its inner and outer walls. These walls may also'be given a coating of insulating material let if desired, but the air insulation will be sufficient in many cases. In both the inner and outer walls are man holes each provided with a cover 30, by means of which access may be had to the interior of the accumulator when for any reason it becomes necessary or desirable. At suitable places on its circumference spiral guides 15 are fixed to*the accumulator or'hol'der. Each of these guides passesbetween two rollers 16 mounted on the foundation of the apparatus, the function of the valve 18 is located at the top of the dome and held against its seat 19" by means of two external springs 20. l/Vhen the accumulator is near its highest position, the actuating rod 21 which is connected to the valve 18 is arrested from traveling farther upward by means of a stop 22, and if the holder conti'nues to travel upward, the valve 18 is drawn away from its seat, permitting the steam to escape. The rod 21 passes freely through a relatively large hole in the valve 18 and is loosely guided near its lower end in the combined stop and guide 22. This arrangement compensates for the slight angular movement of the accumulator or holder 7 as it moves up and down due to the guides 15 and their cocperating rollers 16. As soon as the accumulator descends again the springs will close the valve. Should the accumulator descend until it is about twelve inches from its lowest position, the valve 23 will enter the bell-mouthed opening 24: of

the main steam supply pipe 6 and thus stop any further discharge'of steam from the accumulator. The valve23 is mounted to slide on the rod 21, but normally rests on the shoulder 25 on said rod. On account'of internal condensation the accumulator may continue to travel downward slowly for about twelve'inches takinga" period of time for this movement which would in most cases bridge overthe interval during'which exhaust steam isnot available. The object of the valve 23 is to prevent the accumulator from giving up all its'steam since on further demand for steam a greater or less degree of vacuum would be created inside the accumulator and air would have to be let in to prevent the structure from collapsing. This air would eventually find its way into the condenser and would greatly'impair its vacuum and interfere with the efficient operation of the system.- Should, however, the accumulator continue to descend below the point at which the valve 23 becomes operative, the actuating valve rod will engage a stop 26 which prevents its going farther in a downward direction, and while the holder continues to sink the small valve 27 which is located on the valve 18' will be opened to admit air into the holder, thus preventing a vacuum being formed and safeguarding the structure. At the same time the valve 23 is down on its seat; If now a fresh sup ply of steamis received, the valve 23' lifted by the steam pressure slides upward on the actuating rod and admits steam into the holder, which will rise and close the valve 27 to prevent air coming in or steam escaping.

In a system of the character described, while the engine is working under load, all the steam necessary for the turbine will go direct without passing through the accumulater. In accumulators of the type in which water is the heat storing agency it is neces sary to pass all the steam through the accumulator, boththat which is going to be stored up and that which is used by the turbine while the engine is working. Thus in such an accumulator the whole steam supply is degraded from a heat point of view. Efforts have been made to overcome the objectionable features of these water accumulators but the piping and valve arrangements become so very complicatedand undesirable as to prevent their use. This means that with my improved arrangement in addition to the advantages previously mentioned, a higher efficiency is obtained and also that the storage capacity can be made smaller for a given steam supply.

It will be noted that in my improved arrangement the accumulator and turbine are in parallel relation with respect to the supply of steam and hence it is unnecessary for all of the steam entering the turbine to first pass through the accumulator. In this manner I avoid losses which would otherwise occur.

The power system of which the accumulator forms a part is not claimed herein because it forms the subject matter of a divisional application, Serial No. 788,584, filed September 8, 1918, in response to a requirement for division made by United States Patent Oflice under the provisions of rules 41 and 42 of the Oflice Practice.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but

I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative, and that the invention can be carried out by other means.

That I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is,-

1. An accumulator for motive fluidhaving a Variable volumetric capacity, a normally open conduit for conveying motive fluid between the interior and the exterior of the accumulator, and a device which closes said conduit when the capacity of the accumulator is reduced to a certain amount to prevent the complete discharge of the contents of the accumulator.

2. An accumulator for motive fluid having members that are movable relatively to each other to vary its volumetric capacity, a normally open conduit that serves to convey fluid to the accumulator under certain conditions and to deliver fluid therefrom under other conditions, and a valve device controlled by the movement of one of the mem bers that closes the conduit against outward flow when the capacity of the accumulator is reduced to a certain amount, but permits flow in the opposite direction.

8. An accumulator for motive fluid having a variable volumetric capacity and comprising a cylindrical bell which is mounted for vertical movement, a normally open conduit for conveying fluid to and from the interior of the bell, and a valve controlled by the movement of the bell which closes said conduit before the bell reaches the lower limit of its movement and prevents an outward flow from the bell but which can be opened by the pressure of the fluid to permit it to flow into the bell.

4:. An accumulator having a member which changes its position to vary the volumetric capacity of said accumulator, and means for opening the interior of the accumulator to the atmosphere which is controlled by a movement of said member.

5. In an accumulator, the combination of A a bell which is mounted for vertical move- 6. An accumulator for motive fluid having a variable volumetric capacity and comprising a cylindrical bell which is mounted for vertical movement, a fixed member arranged in telescopic relation to the bell, a packing to prevent leakage between said member and the bell, and a valve controlled by the movement of the bell which admits air into the interior of said bell to prevent the formation of a vacuum therein.

7. An accumulator for low-pressure steam that includes a movable member which changes its position to change the volumetric capacity of the accumulator, a valve means that discharges steam to the atmosphere when the supply to the accumulator exceeds a certain amount, and a second valve means that admits air to the accumulator to overcome the effects of vacuum, both of said valve means being under the control of said member.

8. In an accumulator, the combination of a vertically arranged cylindrical bell mounted for axial movement, means for counterbalancing the weight of the bell, a fixed member arranged in telescopic relation to the interior of the bell, a conduit for lowpressure steam which passes through said member to the interior of the bell, a packing for preventing leakage between the bell and said member, a valve arranged adjacent the top of the bell to permit the escape of steam when the supply to the accumulator exceeds its capacity, and means for preventing the formation of a vacuum in the accumulator when its contents tend to become exhausted.

9. An accumulator for motive fluid having a variable volumetric capacity and comprising a cylindrical bell which is mounted for vertical movement, a valve adjacent the top of the bell which is normally held closed, means for automatically opening said valve to permit the fluid to escape when the bell tends to move beyond the normal upper limit of its movement, a normally open conduit for conveying motive fluid between the interior and exterior of the bell, and a device which closes said conduit before the bell reaches the lower limit of its movement to prevent the complete discharge of the contents of the accumulator.

10. An accumulator for motive fluid having a variable volumetric capacity and com? prising; a cylindrical bell which is mounted for vertical movement, a fixed member arranged in telescopic relation to the bell, a

-packing to prevent leakage between said.

member and the bell, a valve for permitting the escape of fluid when the supply to the accumulator exceeds its maximum capacity, a valve that shuts off the flow of fluid from the accumulatorW-hen its contents have been reduced to a given volume, a valve for admitting air to the accumulator to prevent the formation of a vacuum therein should its contents become exhausted, and means actuated by the movement of the bell for operating said valves.

11. An accumulatorv forv low-pressure steam having, a variable volumetric capacity and comprising a cylindrical hell that is mounted for vertical movement, a fixed member arranged intelescopic relation to the bell, a packing to prevent leakage between said member and the bell, a valve adjacent. the top of the bell which controls a passage therethrough, springv means. which tend to hold the valve closed, a secondvalve mounted on the outer side of the first valve,

a vertical rod connected with the secondvalve and extending downward therefrom,

said rod being normally suspended from the valve and sharing in the movement of the bell, athird valve mounted on said rod below the. other two valves and Within the interior of the bell, said third. valve. being slidablyv mounted on the rod. and there being a shoulder on said rod to limit its down Ward movement, a conduit for low-pressure steam. passing through. the fixed member to the interior of. the hell with its mouth in line with said rod, a stop which checks the upward movementof the rod when the bell lower limit. of movement,.while the slidable mounting of said third valve permits it to be opened by the pressure of'the. steam. sup ply to admit low pressure steam to thebell, and: a: second. stop which. checks the. downward movement of said rod and. causes it to open the second. valve whenthe bell reaches the lower limit. of its movement.

In? witness whereof, I. have hereunto set.

my hand thislst day of January, 1909.

FREDERICK SAMUELSON. Witnesses CHARLES R. FULLER, J. A- Fosrrm Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each,,by addressing. tIiBI GOBImfSSiOHQI- of Patents, Washington, D. 0; 

